Community Foundations

Community foundations are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities. Community foundations vary widely in asset size, ranging from less than $100,000 to more than $1.7 billion.

Community foundations play a key role in identifying and solving community problems. In 2017, they gave an estimated $5.48 billion to a variety of nonprofit activities in fields that included the arts and education, health and human services, the environment, and disaster relief. The Community Foundations National Standards Board confirms operational excellence in six key areas—mission, structure, and governance; resource development; stewardship and accountability; grantmaking and community leadership; donor relations; and communications. Foundations that comply with these standards can display the official National Standards Seal. Currently, over 500 community foundations have earned the seal.

More than 900 community foundations operate in urban and rural areas in every state in the United States; currently, approximately 350 are members of the Council on Foundations. The community foundation model also has taken hold around the world. Community foundations have participated in the growth of international giving by U.S. foundations in recent years, with international giving by community foundations more than tripling, from $103 million in 2011 to $315 million in 2015, and community foundations' share of overall international giving by U.S. foundations more than doubling, from 1.4 percent in 2011 to 3.4 percent in 2015.

You can use our Community Foundation Locator to view a list of community foundations in the United States.

Below is everything on our site for community foundations. We highly recommend that you use the navigation or our search feature to find what you're looking for on our site. Please also visit cof.org/community-foundations for curated community foundation content. 

Plus Member Peer Connections - March 2026

Technology systems play a critical role in supporting community foundation operations, ensuring data integrity, and enhancing donor services. CF Insights Plus Members are invited to this informal session to explore how community foundations use technology, including AI tools, to streamline internal…

Washington Snapshot: Supporting the sector

Earlier this week, Real Clear Politics published an op-ed by Council President and CEO Kathleen Enright responding to recent commentary criticizing the sector. Plus, new amicus brief, Foundations on the Hill 2026, and more.

Values-Aligned Philanthropy: Balancing Purpose, Responsibility, and Risk in Corporate Grantmaking

Toolkit
Values-Aligned Philanthropy: Balancing Purpose, Responsibility, and Risk in Corporate Grantmaking is centered on helping address the unique challenges faced today by corporate foundations. These organizations can be more vulnerable to external pressures than other grantmaker types, balancing their…

HR Philanthropy Collaborative - February 2026

This is a peer-led space designed to connect you with human resources leaders at foundations across the country. The group will build meaningful relationships, share resources, and provide a consistent opportunity to engage in collaborative troubleshooting in a trusted environment. Meeting every…

Community Philanthropy Update - January 2026

Here's what you can look forward to with National Standards in 2026, including a review committee to examine all 26 standards.

Coming Together, Not Apart: Publications

Publication
Coming Together, Not Apart, is a three-publication series exploring philanthropy's involvement in developing the heartset, mindset, and skillset to lead collaboratively across differences. Specifically:Part 1: How Philanthropy Supports Connection in a Time of Dangerous DivisionComing…

Washington Snapshot: Foundations on the Hill

Foundations on the Hill 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for the philanthropic sector. Plus, new legislation targeting nonprofits, federal government funding, and more.

Community Foundation Trends: Highlights from the CF Insights FY24 Annual Survey

Join us as we unpack the findings from the CF Insights FY24 Annual Survey, and hear how peers across the country leverage detailed community foundation business model data to make informed decisions on how to inform their own operations.David Rosado, Senior Advisor for Community Philanthropy, will…

Better Stories, Better Language: A Communications Workshop Series 2026

After a year of research, the Council and the University of Florida’s Center for Public Interest Communications released “Philanthropy’s New Voice: Building Trust With Deeper Stories and Clear Language" in April 2024. As the largest study of narratives in philanthropy, it offers science-backed…

Coming Together, Not Apart: Building the Hearts, Minds, and Skills for Leading Across Differences

Publication
Coming Together, Not Apart: Building the Hearts, Minds, and Skills for Leading Across Differences is the third of three Council on Foundations publications exploring philanthropy's involvement in developing the heartset, mindset, and skillset to lead collaboratively across differences. It discusses…

Scholarship Exchange: Peer Event

This peer space is curated for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs, designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you are new to managing…

Scholarship Exchange: Peer Event

This peer space is curated for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs, designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you are new to managing…

Scholarship Exchange: Peer Event and Book Club

Topic: Measuring Impact & SuccessHow do we know scholarship programs are making a difference – and how do we tell that story? In this peer event, scholarship professionals will explore practical ways to measure impact and success beyond dollars awarded. In peer discussion, we will discuss how…

Scholarships Exchange: Book Club

This peer space is curated for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs, designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you are new to managing…

Scholarships Exchange: Peer Event & Book Club

Topic: Supporting Students Beyond the AwardJoin this peer event to explore how scholarship programs can support beyond the financial award through mentorship, networking, and wrap around services that address real-life challenges. Together, we will share creative strategies for building meaningful…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - December 2026

Topic: Endowment Funds and Nonprofit Endowments Featured Speakers: Lisa Pitsiri, Director of Donor Services and Programs, and Sara Parcell, Director of Philanthropic Services, Communities Foundation of OklahomaJoin fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a virtual meet-up…
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